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Forest‐poverty nexus: Exploring the contribution of forests to rural livelihoods in K enya
Author(s) -
KabuboMariara Jane
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
natural resources forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1477-8947
pISSN - 0165-0203
DOI - 10.1111/1477-8947.12003
Subject(s) - livelihood , nexus (standard) , diversification (marketing strategy) , poverty , asset (computer security) , household income , business , natural resource economics , geography , forest product , forest management , economics , economic growth , forestry , agriculture , computer security , archaeology , marketing , computer science , embedded system
This paper explores the contribution of forests to the livelihoods of local communities in K enya. The paper uses survey data to explore resource extraction and the economic reliance of households on forests. The results suggest that both rich and poor households depend on forests, and that membership in forest user groups, and therefore participation in forest activities, may be based on a household's monetary rather than asset income. The results imply that forests support the living standards of the poor through the diversification of household income sources. The econometric results point to the role of household heterogeneity in private resource endowments in influencing dependence on forests. Participation in collective action and farm size are also significant determinants of forest dependence. The results call for a balanced policy approach to forest management that facilitates both access to forests by poor households and forest conservation.